Main Quadrangle, Chicago
At the core of the University of Chicago lies the Main Quadrangle, also known as "The Quads". This area is enveloped by neo-Gothic offices and libraries (including the octagonally designed Kent Chemical Laboratory and Ryerson Hall, which features an observatory) and serves as the campus's bustling hub, typically teeming with students coming and going from their classes. Envisioned by Henry Ives Cobb, visitors and students alike can take advantage of the 215 acres of lush green space.
In 1997, the American Public Garden Association granted the quadrangle the status of a Botanic Garden. Within this space, a dozen modest-sized gardens contribute to the lush greenery, with generous donors ensuring their continual upkeep. Among these, the Dan Hall Garden stands out as a particularly popular spot, offering a serene setting for reflection and relaxation. Meanwhile, in the southeast corner, the tranquil Social Science Quad provides an ideal location to contemplate the periodic chiming of the bells.
These landscaped areas provide a striking contrast to the Gothic-style buildings and offer captivating sights throughout the year. Spring and summer bring vibrant blooms of flowers, trees, and shrubs, while the fall season graces the quadrangle with rich and vivid hues. Even in the winter, when covered in a blanket of snow, the quadrangle maintains its impressive appeal.
In 1997, the American Public Garden Association granted the quadrangle the status of a Botanic Garden. Within this space, a dozen modest-sized gardens contribute to the lush greenery, with generous donors ensuring their continual upkeep. Among these, the Dan Hall Garden stands out as a particularly popular spot, offering a serene setting for reflection and relaxation. Meanwhile, in the southeast corner, the tranquil Social Science Quad provides an ideal location to contemplate the periodic chiming of the bells.
These landscaped areas provide a striking contrast to the Gothic-style buildings and offer captivating sights throughout the year. Spring and summer bring vibrant blooms of flowers, trees, and shrubs, while the fall season graces the quadrangle with rich and vivid hues. Even in the winter, when covered in a blanket of snow, the quadrangle maintains its impressive appeal.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Main Quadrangle on Map
Sight Name: Main Quadrangle
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
Additional to scenic views of the lake, the boats, and the city skyline, the Navy Pier offers a variety of attractions on the waterfront – for kids as well as adults – that draw nearly ten million people annually, making this Chicago's most visited spot. Yes, some may see it as a “tourist trap”, but it is worth the time and money to spend some time here, so take this self-guided walk... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour
Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago’s smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you’ll find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture Tour in Oak Park
Oak Park, located in Cook County, Illinois, just outside Chicago, made history in 1889 when Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's most renowned architects, and his wife settled there, leaving a profound impact on the area's appearance. This village boasts the highest concentration of Wright-crafted buildings in the world - over a dozen! - making it a pivotal destination for enthusiasts to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such “forever free and open” space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Loop District Architecture Walking Tour
Chicago features an outstanding architectural legacy, having long been connected with some of architecture's most important names: Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, Holabird & Root, and others. The multi-layered Loop District, in particular, offers an extensive number of Chicago’s famous architectural “must-sees” – from modern skyscrapers to historic buildings... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour
The stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, is regarded as one of the world’s great avenues – or Chicago’s version of Fifth Avenue. Take this self-guided walk to explore its whole stretch and surrounding area, featuring a wide selection of amazing stores/malls, world-known museums, restaurants and spectacular... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Chicago Souvenirs: 15 Distinct Local Products to Bring Home
One of the most fascinating cities in the U.S., if not the whole world, Chicago has no shortage of things closely associated with it, often due to their direct origin (blues, gangstership, etc.), so one might literally be spoiled for choice as to what to choose as a "piece" of Chicago to...